Parents to be empowered to set up immersion programs

2:16 AM,
Jun. 4, 2013

Written by

Mike Hasten

Although foreign language immersion programs are lauded for their ability to increase student performance and generate critical thinking skills, Acadiana lawmakers had to struggle to get House members to approve legislation allowing parents to petition school systems to create more of them.

Senate Bill 205 by Sen. Eric LaFleur, D-Ville Platte, says that if at least 25 parents petition a school system to set up a language immersion program, the school board must do it if space and teachers are available.

The bill drew measurable opposition of the House Education Committee from school ...